Flange



Dec. 1942i H. M. SHERIDAN Y 2,305,197,

' FLANGE I 7 Filed Dec. 30,- 1940 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 a4 III" 62 I "65 .HarqZdMgSkeriddn I Patented Dec, 15, v1942 FLANGE Harold M. Sheridan, New Boston, Ohio Application December 30, 1940, Serial No. 372,379 1 I (01. 28549) 1 Claim.

"This invention relates to improvements in flanges or sputs, more particularly adapted for use with barrels, drums and the like.

Oneobject of the invention is to provide a.

flange which may be quickly pressed into place on a metal tank or drum in such a manner that it will be leak-proof, non-displaceable,..and will have high resistance against torsional strain.

Another object of the invention is to provide aflange which is characterized by the utmost simplicity in construction and durability in use. A further object of the invention is to provide a flange which, in one embodiment, has an externally threaded portionfor use with certain types of containers and, in another embodiment has an internally threaded portion for use with the conventional type steel drum.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flange which, in a still further embodiment, is entirely unthreaded so that it will lend itself readily for use in conjunction with the metal type beer barrel.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a flange which, in still another embodiment, may be readily used in conjunction with containers for wine-and milk.

ther objects of the invention, not particularly mentioned hereinbefore, will become apparent during the course of the following description;

In the drawings forming a part of my appliv-zcation:

Figure l is a transverse vertical sectional view showing my improved flange,

'Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectionalview accompanying drawings and, specifically, to Figure 1 thereof. The numeral l indicates aportion of a steel tank or drum of the type commonly employed for transporting chemicals and the like. It should be understood, in this connection, that the embodiment of my invention as shown in Figure 1 maybe employed in conjunction with heavy boilers, tanks and drums wherein practice upto the present timethas'been' to weld 'the flanges in place] 'A portion of the drum is apertured at land the marginsdefining the .aperture are pressed upwardly to define a straight portion 3 and laterally to define an overhanging lip or flange 4. A locking recess 5 is formed in the upper surface of the flange or lip4. The pur pose of the locking recess will be set forth in more detail hereinafter. 1

Associated with the straight portion 3 and the lip or flange lis a retaining ring 6, Said retain ing ring having an annular laterally and inwardly turned portion 1 which is engaged tightly between the lip 45 and the upper surface of the portion of the barrel or drum directly beneath said lip. The retaining ring is provided, at its upper end, with an inwardly displaceable portion 8. This inwardly displaceable; portion extends upwardly prior to the assembly of the flange and has a tapered upper 'edge'll Mounted upon the upper surface of the lip t 7 and within the confines of theretaining ring 6 is a body ring 9, said body ring having a smooth outer surface 10 and a threaded portion H. The body ring is held in association with the retaining ring and the flange 4 by means of the displace able portion 8. That is to say, after the body ring 9 has been placed in position within the retaining ring, the displaceable portion 8 is pressed inwardly and laterally into overhanging relation with respect to said body ring for clamping the body ring tightly into engagement with the flange 4 and said retaining ring. In order to insure that the body ring will be limited against rotative movement, said body ring is provided with a locking tongue [2 which is engageable within the locking recess 5. It will now be understood that the body ring and retaining ring will be effectively mounted in surrounding relation with respect to the opening 2 and will be held against rotative movement-about said opening.

A closureplug l3 .is'employed' for closing'the opening 2,said closure plugv having a bottom wall; I4, an annular externally threaded portion {5' and a laterally directed flangelfi.

closure plug is in position, as shown in Figure 1,

When the the threaded portion I5 will be in engagement with the threaded portion l I of the body ring 9. The closure plug may be screwed tightly in 7 place for insuring that there will be no leakage against leakage.

from the container or drum past said plug. A gasket l1 is'normally employed in conjunction with the plug to provide maximum insurance Reference'is now had to Figure 2 of the drawings wherein, as will be seen, a modified embodiment is illustrated. In Figure 2,the numeral l8 indicates a portion of a drum or container, par-- ticularly that type of drum which is used for transporting beer. The drum I8 is provided with an opening l9, similar to the opening 2 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The margins of the opening I9 are pressed to define an annular straight portion 20 and an annular lip 2|. A retaining ring 22, similar to the ring 6, has an annular inwardly directed portion 23 at its lower end, said portion 23 being clamped between the lip 2| and that portion of the upper surface of the container 18 which is disposed directly beneath said lip. The ring 22 is provided with a displaceable portion 24 which, during assembly of the device, projects upwardly.

Associated with the lip 2i and the retaining. ring 22 is a body ring 25, said body ring being held tightly in place in connection with the retaining ring 22 and the upper surface of the lip 2| by displacing the portion 24 laterally inwardly in overlying relation with the upper surface of said body ring 25. The body ring 25 is held against rotative movement by means of a tongue 26 which is engageable in a locking recess 2?, the body ring having tapered inner surface 23 whichis particularly well adapted for receiving a tapered or frusto-conical surface of a bung.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, I have shown a flange which is par ticularly adapted for use in conjunction with milk or wine drums. In this embodiment, a portion of the drum is shown at 23, said drum having an opening 3!! surrounded by a pouring neck 3|, said pouring neck having, at its outer end, an annular outwardly directed lip 32. Connected with the pouring neck 3| is a body ring 33, said body ring having a threaded portion 34 and a displaceable portion 35, said displaceable portion having an inclined surface 36. The body ring is formed with a shoulder 3'! which is disposed at the junction of the displaceable portion 35 with the body ring member. Locking recesses 38 are formed in the under surface of the body ring and normally receive upwardly pressed studs 39 on the portion 29 of the drum for retaining the body ring against rotative movement on the pouring neck.

In assembling the flange according to this embodiment, the ring is placed about the pouring neck before the lip 32 is turned to the position shown. After the ring is in place, the lip 32 is pressed laterally into engagement with the shoulder 37. This action will, of course, retain the ring in tight engagement about the neck 3i. The displaceable portion 35 is pressed into tight engagement against the upper surface of the lip 32 for providing insurance against displacement. The projections 39 are upset into the recesses, by pressing, for preventing rotation of the body ring about the pouring neck 3!.

A cap 40 is screwed on the threaded portion 34 of the body ring 33 for effectively sealing the pouring neck 3!. The cap 40 is of conventional construction and includes an annular internally threaded flange 4| and a top wall 42.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 of the drawing is quite similar to that shown in Figure 3. However, the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is particularly well adapted for use with drums used for the shipping of milk and milk products and other products wherein an opening is needed that is free of cracks or crevices, which cracks or crevices might collect bacteria. In Figure 4, the numeral 43 indicates a portion of a milk drum, said portion having a pouring neck 44, which pouring neck is provided with a norment of Figure 4, is assembled, the ring 46 is first placed about the neck 44.

' pressed mally laterally extending lip 45, said lip, however, extending upwardly prior to installation of the body ring employed. The body ring is indicated at 46 and includes a threaded portion 47 and an inner portion 48 defining a shoulder 49. A displaceable portion 59 is formed on the threaded portion 41, and the threaded portion 46 is separated from the portion 48 by means of an annular groove or stop 5|. Locking recesses 52 are formed in the under surface of the ring 46 and said locking recesses are adapted to receive studs 53 which are upset from the surface of the portion 43 when the ring is assembled, in a manner now to be described.

When the flange, according to the embodi- The lip is into overlying engagement with the shoulder 49 and the displaceable portion 50 is pressed in overlying engagement with the lip 45. At the same time, the locking studs 53 are pressed upwardly into engagement with the locking recesses 52 for preventing rotative move ment Of the ring about the pouring neck.

A cap'54, similar to the cap 40, is screwed on the threaded portion 41 of the body portion 46 for sealing the opening.

In Figures 5 and 6, I have shown two further embodiments of the flange shown in Figure 1. These embodiments are to be used in drums of lighter gage metal or smaller. size cans and containers.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, 55 indicates a portion of a light weight drum or container and said portion is formed with an opening 56, which opening is defined by upwardly pressed portions 51. A body ring 58 is fitted about the portion 51 and is provided with a flange 59. The ring 58 is held in place by pressing outwardly the upper margin of the portion 51 to define a retaining lip 69. The ring 58 is internally threaded at 6| to receive a closure plug of conventional design. The ring 60 may be held against rotation with respect to the drum by means of a mating locking tongue and recess of construction similar to that shown at 5 and I2 in Figure 1.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, a portion of a light weight container is shown at 62 and said portion is pressed upwardly to define an opening 53 and an upwardly projecting portion 64. A body-ring is placed about the portion 64 and is provided with an inwardly'directed flange or lip 66. The ring is held in place by pressing the upper margin of. the portion 64 laterally to define a retaining lip 61. The ring 65 is externally threaded, as shown at 68, to receive a cap similar to the cap 40.

Attention is directed to the fact that, by the K use of any type of flange shown in the drawings,

it will be possible to drain the entire contents from the drum or container due to the fact that the tank metal is turned back for securing the flanges in place and thus a smooth surface is defined. Free flow of the contents will thus be assured.

In view of the locking means employed, it is obvious that flanges formed according to the various embodiments of my invention cannot be knocked or twisted out of their proper locations. Moreover, it is particularly desired to point out that the flange shown in Figure 2 will have great resistance against the force used to drive the It is obvious that suitable gaskets may be employed in connection with the flanges of each and all of the embodiments shown if, when and where necessary. 'Also, the flanges of my invention can be be equipped with means for permitting cap sealing, or wire sealing and tag holders.

The flanges and plugs may be readily manufactured from pressed steel or forgings if desired, if being well known that pressed steel parts are the most economical to produce. The various parts of the flange are capable of being pressed into place with the utmost facility. As heretofore described, it is only necessary to form the opening in the tank, turn up the margins defining the opening, fit the retainer rings in place, turn the margin defining the opening laterally to lock the retaining ring in place, place the body ring within the retainer ring, and, final-'- ly, press the displaceable portion of the retainer ring into engagement with the body ring. The entire flange is held in place by pressing action and the parts are efiectively retained against relative shifting movement. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, the added step of forcing the studs upwardly into the locking recesses will be eifected. This is done, of course, by the same pressing action.

It is well understood that there are flanges or of suitable plastic material without departing from the scope of the invention. The advantage for this feature is that plastic material,

which will not react with certain chemicals, may

be used for the protection of both the chemicals and the flange of the container. Any type of suitable plastic may be employed, such as, for example, Bakelite, laminated cellulose acetate, Polystrene, and the difierent types of cast resinols. In short, any type of plastic material which can be worked into a ring and threaded can be used; I

As best seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, I provide wrench'lugs 10 and H, respectively. These wrench lugs are engageable by a wrench and permit ready removal of the caps 40 and 54, respectively.

It is thought that the construction and use of my improved flange, in the several embodiments described, will now be fully understood.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

- In a flange, in combination with a container having an outwardly turned portion defining an opening, a retainer ring surrounding the outwardly turned portion and opening, said outwardly turned portion having a recess and also having a lip engaging the retainer ring for preventing displacement thereof, a body ringabove the lip carried within the retainer ring and about the opening, a tongue carried by the body ring for preventing rotative displacement of said body ring, and means carried by the retainer ring and displaceable to overlie the body ring for preventing outward displacement thereof with respect to the retainer ring.

HAROLD M. SHERIDAN. 

